Senior Programme Manager

Package: £76,725 – £85,250 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits

Role ID: SF20626

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Senior Programme Manager at our Bristol site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Senior Programme Manager, you will lead the successful delivery of complex programmes within the Maritime Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP) framework, working closely with customers, industry partners, and suppliers to deliver critical engineering and programme outcomes that support UK defence capability.

Day-to-day, you’ll drive programme governance, risk management, forecasting, and performance reporting as well as championing continuous improvement, operational excellence, and best practice programme management.

Your responsibilities will include

• Lead engagement with customers, partners, and suppliers, acting as a key point of contact and escalation route for delivery, proposals, and issue resolution
• Deliver programme outcomes against agreed objectives for customer satisfaction, schedule, cost, quality, sales, and financial performance
• Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with stakeholders, driving collaboration across customers, partners, and the wider delivery network
• Provide leadership to programme teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, learning, performance, and alignment with organisational values
• Oversee governance, risk, opportunity, and resource management activities, ensuring effective programme control and compliance
• Support business growth and operational excellence through stakeholder communications, conflict resolution, performance reporting, and continuous enhancement of programme delivery practices

Essential experience of the Senior Programme Manager

• Proven experience leading complex, high value projects, programmes, portfolios, or P3 functions, with a strong track record of successful delivery
• Demonstrated programme leadership across multiple customers, providing strategic direction and driving outcomes
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills at all levels
• Strong people leadership capabilities, fostering high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive teams
• Experience delivering organisational change and benefits realisation to achieve strategic business objectives
• Commercially astute, with the ability to build customer relationships, support business development activities, and deliver customer-focused solutions

Essential qualifications for the Senior Programme Manager

• MSP Practitioner qualification or equivalent programme management certification
• Demonstrable programme leadership capability at International Project Management Association (IPMA) Level A, or equivalent senior programme management experience

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Bristol site with a minimum average site attendance of three days per week. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites will be expected.

The QinetiQ facility in Bristol is part of the company’s broader operation focused on defence and technology innovation. The site houses a diverse team of engineers, scientists and technical professionals who bring expertise to various projects ensuring high-quality outcomes.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

Our Recruitment Process

At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing View email address on uk.workus.org . One of our recruitment team will contact you.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community